Also, i have a ma 2002e, acutex 312 and 410e lpm long nose version, an audio technica at7000 and technocraft 3000. I hace been switching between the 312 and 2002e, the 410e is new never used. What cartridge do you like on yours?

schleif wrote:Doug, need your help. I have 2 extra tonearms for my 80z. But one is missing a small black plastic connector that screws in under the cartridge shell head that allows you to screw the 2 cartridge screws to connect to the head. Do you know what that part is called and where I can get on. It's plastic and the screw on top of the head screws into it so you can screw your cartridge into it. This way I can interchange all 3 tonearms each with their own cartridge already attached.

Hi Norm,

I know what part you are talking about but I don't remember its name. I think I have a service manual for the 80Z which has an exploded parts/list in it but it's at my other residence. I'll look for it next time I go there. It shouldn't be too far in the future.

About the only place I can think of that may have those is Turntable Experts in New York. Adam is the guy's name who used to be a technician for BIC and bought all the spare parts for BICs when they went out of business.

schleif wrote:Also, i have a ma 2002e, acutex 312 and 410e lpm long nose version, an audio technica at7000 and technocraft 3000. I hace been switching between the 312 and 2002e, the 410e is new never used. What cartridge do you like on yours?

Right now, I have an ADC 220XE on it which sounds very good. I guess I haven't tried too many others on there as I only have one arm wand for it and I'm lazy when it comes to changing cartridges out. That's why I have about 20 headshells for my early 900 series tables.

Kevin is right. Plessey "fired" BIC as US distributors for Garrard, and also Chas. Pointon in Canada and the Swedish importer...their three biggest export markets. Plessey then set up their own marketing and distribution and fell flat on their conceited faces. Meanwhile British Industries Co. had gotten wind of it and from an all new design, introduced their own turntables and had them built by Voice of Music in Michigan.

Well, like I have said, Voice of Music didn't actually build BIC's tables. BIC employed the services of the engineering department of VM in the design but set up their own manufacturing arrangement in St. Joseph, MI.

Doug,
Received that part from southstreet, they actually included 1 extra at no charge. So now I can try to compare my three cartridges. I am looking at a technics 1500 mk2 on ebay. Also a digital readout and pitch/speed table, but direct drive rather than belt. Looks like it might make a good back up if I can negotiate a good price.

OK, great! I think I might have to acquire some extra arm wands so I can mount some cartridges in them for easy swap too. To be honest, I completely forgot that the wands are removable and I have thought I had to remove one cartridge and install another each time. Pretty dense, huh. :D

I wouldn't mind having a higher end Technics also. I had a less expensive one (a SL-DD33) and even it was a pretty good sounding table. I sold it to a guy about my age who still had a bunch of LPs but whose turntable gave out on him years ago. He was nearly brought to tears being able to play them again. Many people just don't realize... So I guess it was worth the ten bucks I charged him for the table (it only cost me $3.00 at the Salvation Army) and I only added to the price because I had replaced the stylus in the Ortofon OM5 cartridge.

LOL Doug too funny. I changed gears on the SL 1500 mk2 (it was digital display like the BIC) as I refused to counter offer over $200. Nice unit though. I did get a great condition, or so it appears, wont know till next tues, a Technics SL-1300 fully automatic with two head shells, Disc washer D4 kit,and overhang gauge. Looks in great shape. Hopefully it works as good as it looks. Comes with Stanton 681 EEE which seems to be selling on ebay for over 200. And the extra headshell has a Micro Acoustics QDC-1 which is also selling for over 200. Each cartridge and stylus is selling for more than I paid for the entire setup.
Boy you seem to get some rock bottoms deals there Doug. $3.00. Thats a deal.

Both those cartridges are excellent and well sought after. I have a 681EEE but no Micro Acoustics but have read many glowing reports about their sound.

Yeah, the 3 buck Technics was a result of a coworker coming back into the office from the road and said he stopped at Goodwill (I believe it was or Salvation Army) and said he saw a turntable there for 3 dollars but couldn't remember what brand it was. Of course, I wrestled for seconds whether I should go look at it or not and went and bought it after work. Like brand new except for the dust cover and missing stylus.